Agenda Gives Centrists Pause

Some Democrats Fear Obama's Social Emphases May Undercut Focus on Economy

By

Colleen McCain Nelson,

Janet Hook and

Sara Murray

Updated Jan. 22, 2013 9:11 p.m. ET

President Barack Obama's sweeping liberal agenda, as laid out in Monday's inauguration speech, has some centrist Democrats worried the focus on issues such as gun control and climate change could dilute efforts to boost the economy and create jobs.

Mr. Obama's speech was a call to action on Democratic social issues, focusing in part on civil rights, gay rights and efforts to help low-income Americans.